Wednesday, March 4, 2009

The following official email was just sent out (via the LDS Church website) to all the members of the Nauvoo 3rd Ward, as approved by Kristy Combs, ward website administrator, and by Bishop Chris Church of the Nauvoo 3rd Ward. (Because it was sent through the LDS website, it required the authorization of a bishop or higher.)

"This message has been authorized for sending by Bishop Church.

The Civil Union Bill (HB 2234) has been scheduled for a hearing in the Youth and Family Committee this week on Thursday, March 5, 2009 at 9:00 a.m. in Springfield. If the bill is voted out of committee, it becomes eligible for a vote before the full Illinois House of Representatives. This bill will legalize civil unions in the state of Illinois, and will treat such civil unions with the same legal obligations, responsibilities, protections and benefits as are afforded within marriage. In other words, civil unions will be different in name only from marriage. As has already been seen in Massachusetts, this will empower the public schools to begin teaching this lifestyle to our young children regardless of parental requests otherwise. It will also create grounds for rewriting all social mores; the current push in Massachusetts is to recognize and legalize all transgender rights (An individual in Massachusetts can now change their drivers license to the gender they believe themselves to be, regardless of actual gender, which means that confused men and women are now legally entering one another's bathrooms and locker rooms.What kind of a safety issue is this for our children?). Furthermore, while the bill legalizes civil unions, it will be used in the courts to show discrimination and will ultimately lead to court mandated same-sex marriages.

To help defeat this bill, please call your state representative and state senator and ask that they support traditional marriage and vote against the civil unions bill. If you are unsure who your legislators are, please see the link at the end of this email.

Also, please take a moment and call the following members of the Youth and Family Committee to encourage them to vote no on this bill. We need 4 votes to keep it from passing out of the committee. And - as always, please pass this on to all who believe in protecting our families and our children. If you are interested in attending the hearing, it will be held on Thursday, March 5th at 9:00 a.m. in Springfield in Room 122B of the Capitol Building (I can give you directions to the Capitol Building if needed).

Members of the Youth and Family Committee:

Rep. Greg Harris (D-Chicago) (Greg Harris is also the sponsor of this bill, but he needs to hear your opposition to this bill)Chairperson217-782-3835

Rep. LaShawn K. Ford (D-Chicago)Vice-Chairperson217-782-5962

Rep. Mike Fortner (R-West Chicago)Republican Spokesperson217-782-1653

Rep. William D. Burns (D-Chicago)217-782-2023

Rep. Michael P. McAuliffe (R-Chicago)217-782-8182

Rep. Al Riley (D-Matteson)217-558-1007

Rep. Dave Winters (R-Rockford)217-782-0455

Directions for identifying your legislators:

You can use the following link to identify your state legislators andtheir contact information: http://www.elections.il.gov/DistrictLocator/SelectSearchType.aspx?NavLink=1 (and enter your 9digit zip code). If this link doesn't work, you can use the generallink www.ilga.gov and then click on " legislator lookup" near thebottom of the page, then click on "by zip+4". Type in your zip code,and you'll see a list of your legislators. You want your statesenator and state representative as they will be the ones voting onthe bill.

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

Sister Combs"

Please do the opposite of this action alert by the church and tell your legislators you support the HB2234 the civil unions bill.

This is not the LDS Church. This is one ward of the LDS Church that has decided to take action.

Also, the weakest argument against a church taking action is taking away their tax exempt status. Churches survived just fine before the IRS came into existence. They will survive just fine without tax exemption. They are just working within the current set of rules.

I wish I 'had' known things like this from school as I was growing up. I lived a sheltered life in rural Georgia for the longest time and never felt right, but couldn't put my finger on why. It took me til the age of 25 to finally realize that I was TG...and I HATE that. If I'd known earlier, then I could have started living as myself a lot sooner. I hate the way religious groups try to demonize LGBTs. I've read everything from 'will increase crime' to 'will endanger children' to 'will bring down God's wrath upon us'.

Why must they have a demon to preach hate at? Why can't they emphasize the love of God more and live by the very book they claim is God's word?

The LDS said it was solely against gay marriage and not against civil unions or domestic partnerships when they were against Prop 8. LGBT community members reached out their hands to the LDS and asked them to help pass bills creating civil unions and domestic partnership. Obviously the LDS is lying.

Elder L. Whitney Clayton, part of the church's presidency, stated this and also it was outlined on the church's website until it's recent changes.

Didn't Joseph Smith claim he could use a "seer stone" to do money digging?

Joseph Smith claimed an angel told him to dig up some golden plates.

According to Wikipedia he married over thirty women, including young teenagers and ten women who were already married to other men.

This is the founder and leader of your church.

What would you spiteful LDS folks say to someone today who was married to a bunch of teenaged girls? I know what the local Sheriff would say!

Seriously though; How can you people claim to be so morally self righteous when the founder of your religion was quite into mysticism, "seeing stones", plural marraige, money digging and the like.

Your church was quite openly against minorities as well.

What a spiteful angry people you are. Who CARES if a couple of puffs (Sorry) want to get sweaty with each other? I don't personally like it but it's NOT my business and guess what it is NOT your business either.

The question is not "should gay marriage be illegal?" The question is "why is marraige (a RELIGIOUS institution) even a government function at all?

Why is it wrong for citizens of this country to be involved in local politics. If they have a problem with a bill, then they should voice their opinion. Also, if this email is real, it is only an email from a local leader. This is not an official statement from the LDS church.

As a professional journalist I'm just going to let the blogging world know that the words "According to Wikipedia" mean "I'm a retard." Sorry dude. I wish the internet was the source of truth you think it is.

The only reasons Gay Marriage is big is because the Gays believe that a man have sex man is correct (Read that Bible Gays). Sorry Gay people your push your crap of Gay Marriage on us that do not believe that Gay Marriage.

Sheesh people, this is one ward in an area that I'm guessing is VERY conservative even by LDS standards. Until something speaking against Civil Unions is posted on LDS.org I wouldn't take it seriously. Also remember that a "Bishop" in the LDS church is over about 300-500 members, tops. So this isn't coming from the head of the church for Illinois or anything like that. Heck this Bishop is probably going to get in trouble for doing this.

FYI, emails can go out via a Ward's website without a Bishop's (or higher) approval. Most Ward websites have administrators as well as other clerical staff, who all have access to send out email via the website.

But regardless, of who authorized the email, it is important to note that official Church policy and communication is never broadcast in this manner. This email should not be construed as an official position of, or call to action by, the LDS Church.

In the interest of people not sounding like idiots whining about a church’s tax status, let me clarify a few legal points. There is nothing illegal about a religious organization (or other non-profit) being politically involved in any issue.

Churches are classified under the Internal Revenue Code as 501(c)(3) organizations. That section reads in relevant part as follows:

Sec. 501: Exempt from tax on corporations, certain trusts, etc.

(a) Exemption from taxationAn organization described in subsection (c) . . . shall be exempt from taxation under this subtitle . . . . . . .(c) List of exempt organizationsThe following organizations are referred to in subsection (a): . . .(3) Corporations, and any community chest, fund, or foundation, organized and operated exclusively for religious, charitable, scientific, testing for public safety, literary, or educational purposes, . . . no substantial part of the activities of which is carrying on propaganda, or otherwise attempting, to influence legislation . . . , and which does not participate in, or intervene in (including the publishing or distributing of statements), any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for public office.

The vast majority of churches in American are classified by the IRS as 501(c)(3) exempt organizations. They don’t pay taxes, and contributions to them are tax deductable. Under this status:(1) A “substantial” part of their activities may not be attempting to influence legislation; and (2) They may not campaign on behalf of a particular candidate for public office.

If those opposing the LDS Church wish to argue that the Church devotes a “substantial” part of its activities to influencing legislation or campaigning on behalf of a particular candidate, that is a legitimate legal position. However, let’s be clear: It is not illegal for a religious organization to speak out on a moral or political issue. It is not illegal for a religious organization to actively campaign on a particular issue. When people come on the internet and claim that tax-exempt status should be revoked because a church was involved in a political issue, they look like idiots.

Now, a look at the LDS Church’s “substantial” activities: The LDS Church is a worldwide organization overseeing 27,827 congregations in 177 countries. It operates several universities, a chain of thrift stores, a social services organization (which provides adoption services and family counseling), a expansive missionary program, a renowned genealogy and family history program with over 4,000 open-to-the-public centers worldwide, a humanitarian service program that responds worldwide to natural disasters and other emergencies, and one of the most successful welfare programs in the world (which provides food for the poor and job training and placement services). The Church has given over $1 billion in cash and material assistance through its worldwide humanitarian aid program since 1985.

The LDS Church directly contributed less than $5,000 to the Prop 8 campaign. It also strongly encouraged its members to be involved in the campaign individually. Nevertheless, to argue that a “substantial” part of the Church’s activities are attempting to influence legislation is a laughable position.

Anonymous typed, What a spiteful angry people you are. Who CARES if a couple of puffs (Sorry) want to get sweaty with each other? I don't personally like it but it's NOT my business and guess what it is NOT your business either.

Sins, transgressions and judgements are the business of the saints.

Doctrine and Coveants 64:38 (The saints will judge all things pertaining to Zion.)Behold, I, the Lord, have made my church in these last days like unto a judge sitting on a hill, or in a high place, to judge the nations.For it shall come to pass that the inhabitants of Zion shall judge all things pertaining to Zion.

Judgement will be given to the saints (Revelation 20:4; Daniel 7:22):Revelation 20:4And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.

Daniel 7:22Until the Ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom.

The saints shall judge the world:1 Corinthians 6:2Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters?

Doctrine & Covenants 88:81 (we are to warn our neighbour of the judgements to come)Behold, I sent you out to testify and warn the people, and it becometh every man who hath been warned to warn his neighbor.

Ezekiel 3:18-21 (it is our duty to warn or we will go to hell)When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand.Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul.Again, When a righteous man doth turn from his righteousness, and commit iniquity, and I lay a stumblingblock before him, he shall die: because thou hast not given him warning, he shall die in his sin, and his righteousness which he hath done shall not be remembered; but his blood will I require at thine hand.Nevertheless if thou warn the righteous man, that the righteous sin not, and he doth not sin, he shall surely live, because he is warned; also thou hast delivered thy soul.

1 Timothy 4:16 (we are saved because we did our duty)Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.Doctrine & Covenants 88:81 (we are to warn our neighbour of the judgements to come)Behold, I sent you out to testify and warn the people, and it becometh every man who hath been warned to warn his neighbor.

Ezekiel 3:18-21 (it is our duty to warn or we will go to hell)When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand.Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul.Again, When a righteous man doth turn from his righteousness, and commit iniquity, and I lay a stumblingblock before him, he shall die: because thou hast not given him warning, he shall die in his sin, and his righteousness which he hath done shall not be remembered; but his blood will I require at thine hand.Nevertheless if thou warn the righteous man, that the righteous sin not, and he doth not sin, he shall surely live, because he is warned; also thou hast delivered thy soul.

1 Timothy 4:16 (we are saved because we did our duty)Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.

If these “Civil Unions” are allowed, then Polygamy should also be completely legal. I strongly oppose gay marriage, and Polygamy, but if we are going to have one then I don’t understand why the other can still be illegal. Fair is only Fair, if gay marriage becomes legal then everyone should fully support Polygamy, including me.

Why stop at polygamy? How dare the state deny two consenting cousins or siblings from marrying! Isn't it just all about love? Don't I have rights? Why can't a brother marry his sister (or his brother or his mother for that matter)?

Either you can put certain restrictions and qualifications upon marriage, or you can't. Gay marriage advocates who say marriage shouldn't be restricted on gender, but should on family relationship, number of spouses, age, or other grounds are hypocrites. In reality, they just don't like where the line is drawn, so they're arguing that there should be a line. Deep down inside, I suspect that most think there should be a line, so long as it's just behind them.

A statement released Wednesday by the LDS Church's Public Affairs Office said the e-mail was not part of a coordinated effort but an isolated act.

"As is widely known, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints believes in the sanctity of traditional marriage," the statement said. "The Church has not taken a position on any legislation currently being considered by the Illinois State Legislature. The Church did not send an e-mail to its members in regards to House Bill 2234, although a false report to the contrary has been circulated. An e-mail was sent from a local Illinois church leader to his congregation — one of 129 congregations in the state — who was free to express his own views."

Typical mormon talking points anonymous. Are you typing this from your Ward?

You belittle Bishop Church as if he was some minor person akin to the janitor at the stake center.

"How dare the state deny two consenting cousins or siblings from marrying!"

Have you even been to Georgia?

"If these “Civil Unions” are allowed, then Polygamy should also be completely legal. "

Hmmm... the bible supports polygamy. Its currently practiced around the world. Spiritual polygamy is still practiced in the Mormon church. For example, if you are a mormon male and your wife dies and you remarry, in Mormon heaven you have two wives. (FYI: Mormons don't believe in "till death do you part..)

All your supposed charity has an ulterior motive: to convert people to Mormonism. You don't do it for charities sake, but to better your church in the eyes of those you help and to have the opportunity to talk to them about joining the mormon church. You are no better than scientologists.